Air travel is the preserve of a mere 5 per cent of the world's population, but this tiny minority's behaviour affects the poorest--who will probably
never fly. Aviation has enormous repercussions on climate change. Let's look at a few figures. An Air France/klm report
of 2005-2006 reckons it takes 3.1 litres of kerosene to fly one person for 100 km. This means 10 kg of co2
emissions, as per accepted calculations. So, a person flying a distance of 10,000 km (two ways) ends up adding more than a tonne of co2.
A 2006 report, Clearing the Air, by the Brussels-based European Federation for Transport and Environment and by Climate Action Network
(can), Europe, estimates that the contribution of the civil aviation sector--passenger and freight--to climate change is
4 to 9 per cent.It emits 600 million tonnes of co2. But far more dangerous is the total climate impact of
nox emission: it's two to five times greater than that of co2 alone.
The issue doesn't receive much attention from environmental activists (associations in the uk and European aviation
campaigners are honourable exceptions). They are as quick to find an ethical justification for being frequent flyers as managers and politicians--30
per cent of the trips are indeed for work, and not tourism.
The resolution also demanded that taxes be levied on aviation fuel and that other privileges given to the sector be abolished. The European
Commission has prepared the blueprint for a directive to bring aviation-related activities within the ambit of the emissions trading regime.
Therefore, the campaigners have demanded more stringent rules. Among them is taxing aviation fuel for intra-European and domestic flights (while
for non intra-eu flights and non-eu carriers there should be a revision of international
agreements). This will discourage low cost flying, favouring its replacement by trains and will lead to replacement of business--and activists'--flights
by teleconferences. The tax (some countries already have it for domestic flights though at a very low rate) could be 300 euros per tonne (around
us $400) of kerosene. Ticket taxation could be another good though less significant measure.
There is also an urgent need to stop all public subsidies to the aviation sector. The campaigners have also demanded a ban on night flights and
called aviation authorities to respect who prescriptions on air quality. But till short-haul flights are banned and an
individual quota of co2 is implemented, frequent flyers--at the very least--should be seen as
eco-unfriendly.
Marinella Correggia is an environmental activist, journalist, author and aviation campaigner
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.